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August PCB Book-to-Bill Holds Steady at 0.95
September 29, 2008 |Estimated reading time: 1 minute
BANNOCKBURN, Ill. IPC Association Connecting Electronics Industries reported the August findings from its monthly North American Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Statistical Program, showing that the combined rigid and flex PCB book-to-bill maintained its position at 0.95. The book-to-bill ratio has hovered between 0.94 and 0.96 since May 2008.
Rigid PCB shipments are up 2.5% and bookings are down 14.9% in August 2008 from August 2007. Year to date, rigid PCB shipments are up 5.3% and bookings are up 1.7%. Compared to the previous month, rigid PCB shipments increased 5.8% and rigid bookings increased 3.9%. The book-to-bill ratio for the North American rigid PCB industry in August 2008 moved up slightly to 0.95. Rigid PCBs represent an estimated 90% of the current PCB industry in North America, according to IPC's World PCB Production and Laminate Market Report.
Flexible circuit shipments in August 2008 are up 18.9% and bookings are down 24.3% compared to August 2007. Year to date, flexible circuit shipments are up 9.0% and bookings are down 8.7%. Compared to the previous month, flexible circuit shipments are down 2.2% and flex bookings declined 21.5%. In August, the flexible circuit manufacturers in IPC's survey sample indicated that bare circuits accounted for approximately 62% of their shipment value reported for the month. The North American flexible circuit book-to-bill ratio in August 2008 fell to 0.90.
For rigid PCBs and flexible circuits combined, industry shipments in August 2008 increased 3.5% from August 2007 and orders booked decreased 15.5% from August 2007. Year to date, combined industry shipments are up 5.6% and bookings are up 1.0%. Compared to the previous month, combined industry shipments for August 2008 are up 5.2% and bookings are up 2.0%. In August 2008, 76% of total PCB shipments reported were domestically produced. Domestic production accounted for 76% of rigid PCB and 84% of flexible circuit shipments in August by IPC survey participants. The combined (rigid and flex) industry book-to-bill ratio in July 2008 was 0.95.
"Year-on-year shipment growth in August was positive, which follows normal seasonal patterns, but orders are down compared to last year," said Denny McGuirk, president, IPC. The book-to-bill ratios are calculated by dividing the value of orders booked over the past three months by the value of sales billed during the same period from companies in IPC's survey sample. A ratio of more than1.00 suggests that current demand is ahead of supply, which is a positive indicator for sales growth over the next two to three months. Year-on-year and year-to-date growth rates provide the most meaningful view of industry growth.
For more information, visit www.ipc.org.